1862 May 23 Camp near Richmond

Camp Near Richmond
May 23d 1862
My Dear Creek

We are still here and every
thing quiet, we are still without tents
or anything of that Kind, and likely be
for some time, but we get along better with-
out-than with them and the health of our
army has improved very much since we
have been movimg about so much, I
was up at Richd yesterday. the people
there are very much excited and have
all sorts of tales about the Yankees
being within a few miles of the city &c
which of course I knew very well was not
so. as they have showed themselves in any
force to our outposts since the battle of
Williamsburg, and if McClellan do
not make haste and attack us here
I think it highly probable that he

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will have to withdraw a great portion
of his army to some other place which
I am not at liberty to mention, So I
think it doubtful about the great
Battle taking place in the neighbourhood
of Richmond. I had a long letter from
Uncle Same McFall the other day, it was
addressed to the two Bills and me, he
had heard that we were in the Battle
of Williamsburg, and was anxious to
know if we were all safe, I have answered
his letter and given him all the
particulars, he said his company
had had a little skirmish with the
enemy while on picket duty, I expect
from that Orrs Regt are finding out
something about a soldiers life
now, they are in the neighbourhood
of Fredricksburg and I suppose not
far from the enemys lines, much
is expected from the Regt and I hope
they will not disapoint the anticipation
of their friends when an oppertunity

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of meeting the enemy is afforded them.
I Recieved three letter from you yesterday
also one enclosed from Jink and am
truly happy to hear that you are all well
I will answer Jink as soon as I get
back from picket, where I have to go
in the course of an hour and will not
be back to camp for three days we are
going to a place called Drurys Bluff
on the James River it about 5 miles from
here, you may also expect a letter from
me when I return, I hope you are getting
my letters regularly now I write you every
other day, yours do not come so regularly as
I would like, but the mails have got prety
well straightened  out again, and I hope
there will be no difficulty now for some
time,  give my kindest Regards for to
all the Family.  Kiss Dear little Maggie
for me and tell her the saussages were so
nice, I got all the things you sent by Major
they suit me finely.  Good Bye Dear Creek
May Heaven Bless you

William

William Anderson, Captain of  in the Palmetto Sharp Shooters, was elected Major of the 4th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry on April 16, 1862.

MSS 10366